Health Parntership Grantee Spotlight

Since May 2014, the Women’s Health Care Clinic (WHCC), a program of the Los Angeles BioMedical Research Institute on the grounds of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and Interval House have launched an inventive new strategy to increase access to health information and health services among victims of domestic violence in the form of an engaging new “Monthly Health Celebration.”

WHCC staff goes to Interval House once a month to provide 90-minute workshops in English and Spanish on topics ranging across the scope of women’s health and reproductive health. Interval House clients have an opportunity to ask questions about their health in a safe, empowering space and are directly linked to the clinic through on-site appointment scheduling.

For many victims of domestic violence, urgent pressures such as relocation, legal issues, emotional and physical stress pose overwhelming barriers to health care. During the planning process for this initiative, WHCC and Interval House worked together to determine who the target audience would be (both shelter and outreach clients) and how the workshops could effectively engage and entice victims on a voluntary basis, given the heavy demands on their lives and the instability they are facing.

Knowing that it’s a very tall order, the two partners designed the program with a very client-centered focus, ensuring that, in addition to offering client incentives, the workshops are intentionally framed and promoted as a fun, empowering event. All Interval House advocates, counselors and leaders are scheduled to be a part of the event, to greet, welcome, and encourage all clients.

The ability to provide a structured opportunity, in a celebratory environment, for clients to socialize and connect with staff who have helped them through their times of crises has created an energy of comfort that has resulted in a high level of interest and engagement with clients in talking about their health and well-being – and, ultimately, accessing health care. And, to remove logistical barriers in accessing care at the clinic, Interval House and WHCC provides transportation vouchers to clients and actively arranges carpooling and rides to ensure that all clients are supported and encouraged in their efforts to access care.

As a result of the Monthly Health Celebrations, WHCC and Interval House have seen a remarkable increase in health care engagement and access, especially among victims who have reported never having had a well-woman exam, those who have had exams but had no knowledge of their medical results, and those who had not previously disclosed.

This partnership has created a bridge to healthcare that has been so important in helping victims prioritize their health, utilize services, and develop a medical home. Just in the month of June, almost 40 Interval House clients have already accessed care at the WHCC. Additionally, the Monthly Health Celebrations provide a valuable avenue for cross-training and sustainability among the Interval House staff, who have the opportunity to grow, evolve, and continue to share the knowledge they’ve learned with clients well into the future.